Sara straightened herself quickly, opened the door, and stepped out of the car, quickly straightening her dress and brushing a few strands of hair away from her face.
"Selena…" she said again, voice low and tight.
The evening breeze felt heavier than usual, or maybe it was the weight of the moment.
Selena was still standing frozen a few feet away, eyes wide, lips parted, trying to process what she had just witnessed a few seconds ago.
Taking a quiet breath, Sara walked up to her, her heart racing.
"Selena… It's not what you're thinking. Actually—" she began, reaching out to hold her hand.
Before she could continue, Kairo's voice came from behind, calm but firm. "She's my wife, Selena. We're married."
Sara turned instantly, eyes widening a little at his blunt confession. Selena blinked, stunned again, as her gaze shifted between the two of them.
Kairo walked up to Sara and gently wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. His voice remained even, businesslike, but protective.
"We have our reasons to keep it private in the office. But it's true, we're married, and we have a baby boy."
Selena just stared at them, speechless.
Kairo continued, his tone now authoritative. "Since you know the truth, I hope you understand this stays confidential. Until we make it official, no one should hear a word."
Sara immediately squeezed his hand softly, a silent plea asking him not to sound too harsh. He looked at her briefly, then back at Selena.
"Selena…" Sara said gently, stepping a little closer. "I know it's sudden and probably shocking, but please try to understand."
Selena blinked, her lips parting into a small, hesitant smile. Then she shook her head lightly and let out a soft laugh.
"Why do you both look so terrified? Like you've done something wrong?" she said, chuckling.
"Come on, Sara… it was shocking, yes. But honestly, I'm happy for you. Can't believe I'm friends with my boss's wife."
Sara's face melted into a relieved smile. The tension in her shoulders finally dropped.
Selena turned to Kairo, her tone respectful but warm. "Don't worry, sir. I won't tell anyone. Promise."
Kairo nodded, his expression easing. "Thank you."
"Oh, actually—" Selena lifted a small bag from her shoulder and handed it to Sara. "You forgot this. Zayn's little bag."
Sara's eyes widened a bit. "Ohh! Thank you so much."
Selena smiled brightly. "Alright then, I'll get going. You guys carry on with your evening."
"Bye, Selena. See you tomorrow," Sara said, smiling softly.
"Bye," Selena waved before walking off toward her car, still smiling in disbelief.
As soon as she was gone, Sara exhaled deeply, pressing a hand to her chest.
"God… my breath literally stopped for a second," she muttered under her breath.
Kairo smirked and slipped an arm around her waist again. "Come," he said, his tone low and playful. "I'm not done yet. So many interruptions today… especially that lady."
Sara gasped softly, hitting his arm. "Stop it. Don't talk like that, she's my friend."
He rolled his eyes teasingly. "Yeah, yeah, whatever."
Before she could say anything else, he guided her back toward the car, his hand never leaving her waist. They both settled inside, the air warm with unspoken laughter and the soft hum of affection between them.
As Kairo started the car and pulled out of the parking lot, Sara glanced at him sideways, his jaw relaxed now, his lips curved faintly, a trace of pride still in his eyes.
She smiled. Despite the chaos, despite the risk, she knew they were fine. And maybe, just maybe, their little secret wouldn't stay hidden much longer.
The city lights glimmered faintly as Kairo steered the car out of the parking lot, one hand on the wheel, the other resting lazily on Sara's thigh, caressing gently.
Sara glanced at his hand, then at him, that small, knowing smile curving on her lips.
"Kairo…" she warned softly, half smiling.
"What?" he said innocently, eyes fixed on the road.
She shook her head, trying not to laugh. "You promised to drive safely."
"I am driving safely," he said with mock seriousness. "My hand just feels safer here."
She exhaled a quiet laugh, glancing at Zayn through the rear-view mirror. Their little boy had already dozed off, his tiny head tilted to the side.
Sara smiled warmly. "He fell asleep again. He gets tired so easily these days."
Kairo's voice softened. "Like his mom. Always working, always tired."
She looked at him, and for a second, their eyes met, that quiet moment where affection didn't need words.
Then, of course, he ruined it in his Kairo way."...Also like his mom, stubborn. difficult to pursue"
Sara's jaw dropped slightly. "Excuse me?"
He turned his head, a smirk tugging his lips. "What? Just stating facts."
The car stopped at a red light. Kairo turned slightly toward her, eyes glinting in the fading daylight.
"You know what I realised?"
"What now?" she asked warily.
"Every time I have a long day, I end up craving the same two things."
She arched a brow. "What is it?"
He grinned. "You. And the food you cook."
She tried to hold her laugh. "That's your way of saying you're hungry?"
"Hungry and in love. Dangerous combination," he replied without missing a beat.
She smiled despite herself, looking out the window to hide the blush warming her cheeks.
When the light turned green, he accelerated smoothly. The music played low in the background, some soft tune that filled the comfortable silence.
After a while, she spoke quietly. "You really shouldn't have said that in front of Selena like that. She must be shocked. "He shrugged, still focused on the road. "Better she hears it from me than starts gossiping later. I hate people guessing things about you."
Her heart softened a little. He always said it like he didn't care what others thought, but the truth was, he only didn't care when it came to himself. When it came to her, he'd burn the world down if needed.
She watched his profile quietly for a few seconds, the way his jaw flexed, the faint tired lines near his eyes. Then she reached over and rested her hand on his arm. "Thank you," she said softly.
He looked at her, his eyes gentler now. "For what?"
"For protecting us, in your own dramatic way."
He smiled faintly. "Well, someone has to. You two are my entire world."
And before she could say anything back, he added with a grin, "Also, you still owe me something."
Sara blinked. "For what this time?"
He smirked. "For making me wait and for giving me a heart attack in the parking lot, by pushing me away."
She rolled her eyes, laughing. "You'll survive, fuckboy."
"Won't, unless compensated properly," he muttered under his breath, lips curving.
Sara sighed, smiling to herself, and looked back at Zayn, peacefully asleep, unaware of his parents' quiet banter.
As the car moved through the soft glow of the city lights, she leaned her head on Kairo's shoulder. And for the first time that long day, everything felt calm again.
By the time they reached home, the sky had turned a dusky violet. Kairo parked the car and stepped out, opening the back door to lift their sleeping son gently into his arms.
Sara opened the door quietly while Kairo carried Zayn inside, his little head resting against Kairo's chest.
Kairo carefully laid him down in his room, covering him with his soft blanket and brushing a hand through his hair. He stood there for a second, just watching him sleep, before turning off the light and stepping out.
Sara was already in the kitchen, fresh, moving around in her soft home clothes. The sound of utensils and running water filled the warm silence.
Kairo came and slipped his arms around her waist from behind. "You know," he said, his voice lazy and deep, "you look dangerously pretty when you're not trying."
She turned around, amused. "That's the line you came up with today?"
He smirked. "I've got plenty more."
"Save it," she said, pouring some pasta into boiling water. "You can use them on yourself in the mirror."
He grinned. "Already did this morning. The mirror blushed."
She rolled her eyes, trying to stir the pasta. but then his chin found its place on her shoulder, hands slipping inside her top, pressing her soft flesh.
"Kairo…"
"Hm?"
"I can't cook if you keep doing this."
"I'm helping," he murmured against her neck.
She smiled faintly. "How exactly?"
"Emotional support," he said without hesitation.
Sara laughed, shaking her head, but she didn't push him away. His warmth pressed against her back, his heartbeat steady, his breath brushing her skin. his hands caressing her tummy, gentle and warm. It felt peaceful, the kind of quiet that comes after a long, messy day.
They stood there quietly, wrapped in that calm domestic rhythm —the sound of simmering sauce, the faint ticking of the wall clock, his arms locked around her waist as if they were made to fit there.
A few minutes later, she turned the stove off. "Dinner's ready."
He didn't move.
"Kairo…" she said again, tilting her head.
"I was thinking," he said, lips grazing her ear, "maybe we should skip dinner and go straight to dessert."
Sara's elbow nudged into his stomach, making him laugh as he pulled back just enough to meet her eyes. "I meant ice cream, baby,"
Dinner ended with laughter, Kairo feeding Sara a spoonful of pasta just to annoy her, Zayn waking halfway through, holding his plushy bunny and joining them sleepily, demanding his favorite ice cream.